Automatic hydraulic brake



NOV. 5, 1946. c, GREEN f' 2,410,440

AUTOMATIC HYDRAULIC BRAKE Filed Jan. 12, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 5, 1946. Y c. A. GREEN ET AL 4 AUTOMATIC HYDRAULIC BRAKE Filed Jan. 12. 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3 "29 5-; ii -23 E1 1 f m:

. C-a.67ee1v lLJllSeyewib dttb'rney NOV. 5,1946. c, GREEN ETAL- 2,410,440

AUTOMATIC HYDRAULIC BRAKE aw-1mg curately to'its target.

Patented Nov. 5, 1946 Charles A. Green, Washington,

M. Seifert, Brooklyn Dr 0., and Ernest Park, Md.

Application January 12, 1938, Serial Nb. 184,592 12 Claims. (01. 114 2s9 (Granted under the a amended April 30; 19

This. invention relates 1 to means. for preventing whipping of torpedo tubes when a torpedois fired and has among its several. objects:

To provide automatically acting means to prevent displacement of torpedo. tubes from their position to direct a torpedo to a targ t;

To provide meansactuated by the pressure of thelagent utilized toexpela torpedo from a tor pedo tube to lock the tube in the. desired firing position; V

To provide simple and highly efiective mechanism for the purpose mentioned that. is not likely toget out of. order and will not fail to function.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is atop plan view of quadruple torpedo tubes with-portions of the tubes. cutawayto show certain parts of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the parts shown in Fig. l; v

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail planv view, with parts in section, of the valve actuating means;

. Fig. 4 is an elevational view; with parts in seetion, of the valve and means .for operating the same;

Fig. 5 is a transverse the line; 5-5, Fig. 4;

Fig. 6' is an axial sectional view of the pressure operated means, substantially on the line 6-5, Fig. 2; v

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of the part shown in Fi 6.

It is well known that firing a torpedo from a torpedo tube results in whipping ordisplac'ement in train, of the tube, with resultant inaccuracy in fire and failure. to direct the torpedo ac- The: present inventionis asimple and very satisfactory solution of. the" problem of preventing this undesirable displacement.

While our invention is shownand described in association with quadruple torpedo tubes, it is to be understood? that. its usefulnessisinot limited thereto but may be used: with one or more on a common mount. t is of course obvious that firing a torpedo from a tube which is displaced radially from the center of the mount about which it is trained will develop a torque tendingto rotate the mount and consequently our inventiOn; is of greater value in connection with a multiple mount of tubes, but it may be used with triple, double or even, if desired, with single-tubes.

In the drawings are shown four torpedo tubes 8 on a mount 3- whereon the tubesmay be trained. The training mechanism is aworm lfl carried;

sectional view taken on vented from becoming efi'ective of March" 3, 1883;. as'

a gear I2 that. is ISwhereby, when secured is: driven by tubes will becaused fixed against rotation by key a motor (not shown) the to move in azimuth.

A coupling I5 connects shaft M to the shaft.

46, of. a hydraulic. device ll of well-known construction such asis commonly called the end of a hydraulic variablespeed gear whereby rotation of shaft l4 will drive the. device I! andcause circulation. of fluid therethrough. in. a manner well-known. through valve casing 20 to constitute, with the device IT, a. closed circuit in which fluid is circulated by rotation of shaft. l4. The. valve casing 20' encloses a quick closing valve 2! (Fig. 4) consisting of a; cylindrical Valve member 2]. having; through it a. passage zzithat is adapteol'to be aligned with the openings from ,pipes 18 and I9 into the valve casing when in. open position butv is turned at right angles. to. the line connecting said. openings when in the closed position, thereby preventing passage of fluid through the above mentioned. closed hydraulic circuit. It is obvious that when valve. 2! is in the closed. position the circulationof fluid through the device' ll will be prevented and thereby theshait M" will be held against rotation. Consequently, to-rotate the tubes 8 on their mount will be preto set up such rotation. The device I! is fixed to the torpedo tube 8 by means of a hanger bracket 23.

Fixed to the spindle 2'4 of valve 2| is a lever arm 25 having: on it an upwardly projecting pin 26 slida biy'disposed: in slot 21 in a head 28rcarried by piston rod". 29; The piston rod29 is en'- gaged with a piston 30 in cylinder 3| that is connected by pipe 3! to a: manifold 33 operatively connected to the cylinders 34 to plac'e thecylinders 3 5 communication with cylinder 31'. The spring 35 in cylinder 31 isunder compression and tends tohold thecyli-nder 3D in the position-depicted in-Fig. 3 whereby the valve. 2| is normally maintained in the openposition.

Sliclably disposed in each cylinder 34 is a piston that isnormally helol at the limit; of its movement toward. the-tube 8- upon which the cylinder 34 is mounted by a spring 31. The spaceabove piston 36' is filled with oil; or-other suitable fluid that forms a part. of the fluid body filling the pipe 32- and the manifold 33, whereby pressure exerted upon the piston 36- to move it upwardly in its cylinder will be transmitted topiston M-tomove piston 30 outwardly and thereshaft I4 to which worm. H) is.

Pipes [8 and 19' are connected,

torque applied through lever arm: 25,; rotate the valve 2-! to tend to check the movement of piston 36. A reservoir M is connected to manifold 33 through a check valve 43 of any well-known construction that will permit fluid from M to keep the pressure system continuously filled with fluid but Willprevent passage or fluid from said system back to' the reservoir 4! when the fluid in the system isunder operating pressure.

The firing mechanism 53 is shown as being of the type utilizing a charge of powder but our invention is adapted for use with compressed air or any type of expansible agent used to expel the torpedo from the tube. It will be obvious from the foregoing that when the pressure in tube 8 is increased to expel a torpedo therefrom, that pressure will act through the passage 39 to force piston 2 5 upwardly against the action of spring 31, thereby displacing fluid from the cylinder 34 and transmitting through the manifold 33 and pipe 32 a volume of fluid that will force the piston 30 outwardly from its normal position and actuate the valve 2! to the closed position thereby preventing circulation of fluid through the device I! and pipes l8 and I9, which will apply an effective hydraulic lock to shaft l4 and hold it positively against rotation whereby any displacement of the tube in train is absolutely prevented, The action of our invention is substantially instantaneous, is effective before the pressure in the tube is suflicient to break the stop box tension link, locks the torpedo tube against whipping when a torpedo is being fired but promptly releases after the torpedo has left the tube so the tube may be immediately moved in train to direct it upon any other target if so desired.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes we have set forth the principle and mode of operation of our invention and have illustrated and described what we now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, we desire to have it understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

The invention herein described and claimed may be used and/or manufactured by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

We claim:

1. The combination with a torpedo tube mounted to be movable in train, training mechanism therefor including a rotatable shaft positively connected to drive said tube in train, and means to introduce into said tube a fluid propulsive agent to expel a torpedo therefrom, of a device having a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, fluid circulating means driven by said part, a conduit connected to convey fluid from the discharge to the intake of said circulating means, a quick shut-off rotary valve in said conduit to control the flow of fluid therethrough, a first cylinder, a first piston therein, means operatively connecting said piston to operate said valve, resilient means acting upon said piston to hold said valve normally open, a second cylinder having one end in communication with the interior of said tube adjacent the point of admission of said agent, a second piston in said second cylinder movable away from said tube by the pressure of said agent, resilient means normally holding said second piston at the limit of its movement toward said tube, a fluid system connecting said cylinders to each other whereby movement of said second piston by said agent is transmitted to said first piston to move said valve to the closed position and prevent circulation of fluid through said conduit, a container connected to said system to supply fluid thereto, and means to prevent return of fluid from said system to said container.

2. The combination with a torpedo tube mounted to be movable in train, training mechanism therefor including a rotatable shaft positively connected to drive said tube in train, and means to introduce into said tube a fluid propulsive agent to expel a torpedo therefrom, of a device having a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, a fluid circulating means driven by said part, a conduit connected to convey fluid from the discharge to the intake of said circulating means, control means in said conduit to control the flow of fluid therethrough, a first cylinder, a first piston therein, means operatively connecting said piston to operate said control means, resilient means acting upon said piston to hold said control means normally open, a second cylinder having one end in communication with the interior of said tube adjacent the point of admission of said agent, a second piston in said second cylinder movable away from said tube by the pressure of said agent, resilient means normally holding said second piston at the limit of its movement toward said tube, a fluid system connecting said cylinders to each other whereby movement of said second piston by said agent is transmitted to said first piston to move said control means to the closed position and prevent circulation of fluid through said conduit, a container connected to said system to supply fluid thereto, and means to prevent return of fluid from said system to said container.

3. The combination with a torpedo tube mounted to be movable in train, training mechanism therefor including a rotatable shaft positively connected to drive said tube in train, and means to introduce into said tube a fluid propulsive agent to expel a torpedo therefrom, of a device having a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, fluid circulating means driven by said part, a conduit connected to convey fluid from the discharge to the intake of said circulating means, a quick shut-off rotary valve in said conduit to control the flow of fluid therethrough, a first cylinder, a first piston therein, means operatively connecting said piston to operate said valve, resilient means acting upon said piston to hold said valve normally open, a second cylinder having one end in communication with the interior of said tube adjacent the point of admission of said agent, a second piston in said second cylinder movable away from said tube by the pressure of said agent, resilient means normally holding said second piston at the limit of its movement toward said tube, and operative connecting means whereby movement of said second piston effects corresponding actuation of said first piston to move said valve to the closed position and prevent circulation of fluid through said conduit.

4. The combination with a torpedo tube mounted to be movable in train, training mechanism therefor including av rotatable. shaft positively; connected; to drive said, tubein train,.amlmeans to introduce into. said tube, a. fluid? propulsive agent to expel atorpedo therefrom, of a: devicevhaving. a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, fluid circulating means driven by said part, a conduit connected to convey fluid from the discharge to the intake of said circulating means, control means in said conduit to control the flow of fluid therefrom, a first cylinder, a first piston therein, means operatively connectin said piston to operate said control means, resilient means acting upon said piston to hold said control means normally open, a second cylinder having one end in communication with the interior of said tube adjacent the point of admission of said agent, a second piston in said second cylinder movable away from said tube by the pressure of said agent, resilient means normally holding said second piston at the limit of its movement toward said tube, and operative connecting means whereby movement of said second piston effects corresponding actuation of said first piston to move said control means to the closed position and prevent circulation of fluid through said conduit.

5. The combination with a tubular member mounted to be rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said member, means including a rotatable shaft positively connected to drive said member in rotation, and means to produce an increase of pressure in said member, of a device having a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, means driven by said part to propel a stream of fluid, a conduit associated with the last mentioned means to constitute therewith a closed circuit for said fluid, control means in said conduit to control the flow of fluid therethrough, a first cylinder, a first piston therein, means operatively connecting said piston to operate said control means, means acting to hold said control means normally open, a second cylinder in communication with the interior of said tubular member, a second cylinder movable away from the tubular member by pressure therein, means normally holding said second piston toward said tubular member, and a fluid system connecting said cylinders with each other whereby movement of said second piston by said pressure is transmitted to said first piston to move said control means to the closed position and prevent circulation of fluid in said conduit.

6. The combination with a tubular member mounted to be rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said member, means including a rotatable shaft. positively connected to drive said member in rotation, and means to produce an increase of pressure in said member, of a device having a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, means driven by said part to propel a stream of fl id, a conduit associated with the last mentioned means to constitute therewith a closed circuit for said fluid, control means in said conduit to control the flow of fluidtherethrough, a first cylinder, a first piston therein, means operatively connecting said piston to operate said control means, means acting to hold said control means normally open, a second cylinder in communication with the interior of said tubular member, a second piston in said second cylinder movable away from the tubular member by pressure therein, means normally holding said second piston toward said tubular member, and operative connecting means whereby movement of said second piston effects corresponding actuation of said first piston to movesaid control means tothe. closedpositi'on and prevent circula tionof fluidthrough said conduit.

7. The combination with a torpedo tube mount ed to be movable in train, training mechanism therefor including a rotatable. shaft positively connected to drive said tube in train, and means to introduce into said tube a fluid propulsive agent to expel a torpedo therefrom, of a device having a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, fluid circulating means driven by said part, a conduit connected to convey fluid from the discharge to the intake of said circulating means, control means in said conduit to control the flow of fluid therethrough, a first cylinder, a first piston therein, means operatively connecting said piston to operate said control means, means acting upon said piston to hold said control means normally open, a second cylinder hav-, ing one end in communication with the interior of said tube adjacent the point of admission of said agent, a second piston in said second cylinder movable away from said tube by the pressure of said agent, means normally holding said second piston at the limit of its movement toward said tube, and operative connecting means whereby movement of said second piston effects corresponding actuation of said first piston to move said control means to the closed position and prevent circulation of fluid through said conduit.

8. The combination with a tubular member mounted to be rotatable about an axis transverse member, means including a rotatable shaft positively connected to drive said member in rotation, and means to produce an increase of pressure in said member, of a device having a part connected to said shaft to rotate therewith, means driven by said part to propel a stream of fluid, a conduit associated with the last mentioned means to constitute therewith a closed circuit for said fluid, control means in said conduit to control the flow of fluid therethrough, means actuatable by pressure in said tubular member, means to transmit movement of said pressure actuatable means to move said control means to closed position, and means acting to maintain said control means normally in open position.

9. The combination with a rotatably mounted hollow member, and means including a rotatable shaft positively connected to drive the same in rotation, of a closed hydraulic circuit including means to propel fluid through said circuit and means to control the flow of fluid therethrough, a movable member connected to actuate said con trol means to closed position to prevent said flow of fluid, means responsive to pressure in said hollow member operatively connected to move said movable member to close said control means, and means acting to hold said control means in normally open position.

10. The combination with a rotatably mounted hollow member, and means including a rotatable shaft positively connected to drive the same in rotation, of a closed hydraulic circuit including means to propel fluid through said circuit and means to control the flow of fluid therethrough, and mechanism actuatable by pressure in said hollow member to prevent said flow of fluid and thereby hydraulically lock said hollow member against rotation.

11. The combination with a torpedo tube and means to rotate the same, of a hydraulic device driven by said means, means to prevent the flow of fluid through said device, and means actuatable by pressure in 'said tube when a torpedo is increase of pressure in said device, of means to fired to operate said flow preventing means and drive said device in rotation, and means actuthereby hydraulically lock said tube against ated by increase of pressure in said device to lock Whipping. said device against whipping.

12. The combination with a rotatably mounted 5 CHARLES A. GREEN. hollow device adapted to discharge missiles by ERNEST M. SEIFERT. 

